RIAT 2025

[theplayingmantis]

Soon upon us. Who's going?

Seems to be some disappointment amongst the more walty types that it's not going to be a good one as few star aircraft and too many choppers but doesn't bother me, so long as the weather's fair a brilliant day/out and will be off the leash for the weekend and few days before.

Good news as ever and I appreciate this was controversial to some on the 24 thread, but the royal Jordanian falcons will be present allowing ample time for stall browsing, refreshment gathering and static display wandering.

[AlexIT]

We'll be there Friday and Saturday.
Not really excited about the flying display so far, but it's always good to spend a couple of days in Fairford.

Fingers crossed for the weather, if that's good, all the rest is a bonus

[aeropilot]

Unless USAF wants Fairford for combat missions in the ME in the next few weeks of course, in which case, RIAT will get canned.

I think that's unlikely at the moment, but can't be discounted.

[theplayingmantis]

aeropilot said:

Unless USAF wants Fairford for combat missions in the ME in the next few weeks of course, in which case, RIAT will get canned.

I think that's unlikely at the moment, but can't be discounted.

No chance I've heard.

Any middle east kick off will be done via Diego Garcia

[zsdom]

theplayingmantis said:

Soon upon us. Who's going?

Seems to be some disappointment amongst the more walty types that it's not going to be a good one as few star aircraft and too many choppers but doesn't bother me, so long as the weather's fair a brilliant day/out and will be off the leash for the weekend and few days before.

Good news as ever and I appreciate this was controversial to some on the 24 thread, but the royal Jordanian falcons will be present allowing ample time for stall browsing, refreshment gathering and static display wandering.

Ignore the herberts who are moaning about the flying display, it’s a cracking line up, I’m doing FRIAT will be there Weds-Mon & camping at Kempsford, I cant wait for my summer trip to aviation mecca

aeropilot said:

Unless USAF wants Fairford for combat missions in the ME in the next few weeks of course, in which case, RIAT will get canned.

I think that's unlikely at the moment, but can't be discounted.

Yes it can

Edited by zsdom on Tuesday 17th June 18:16

Edited by zsdom on Tuesday 17th June 18:23

[williamp]

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

[Actual]

williamp said:

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

Tips?

If you have standard tickets you will be jostling for space on the crowd line so get tickets or upgrade to one of the enclosure packages and you will have seating with a base to come back to and plenty of space.

Also plan to arrive at 5am and add 2 hours contingency.

[AlexIT]

Actual said:

williamp said:

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

Tips?

If you have standard tickets you will be jostling for space on the crowd line so get tickets or upgrade to one of the enclosure packages and you will have seating with a base to come back to and plenty of space.

Also plan to arrive at 5am and add 2 hours contingency.

From what I read on the website enclosures are all sold out except on Friday.
I must say that I have been there both with enclosure package as well as with plain ticket and it did not make a massive difference, but (and it's a big BUT), I was always lucky with the weather and I don't care sitting on the ground when feeling tired. I'd definitely back the advice if I were in William's position though.

OTOH, in the past I used to arrive at the parkings at about 7 am (we're staying 15ish miles away) and worked like a charm: have things gotten so much worse now?

[Master Bean]

williamp said:

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

Suncream, hat, umbrella, chair. If it's hot there's basically no shade unless under the wing of the static aircraft.

I'll be riding my bicycle to a field or road somewhere.

[zsdom]

We can put this to bed now

[KieronGSi]

Managed to get half price tickets for the Altitude enclosure on the Sunday. May get a little sozzled on the all inclusive drinks!

[LHB]

Camping at Townsend for the 4th year in a row, my best friend and I turn up early Thursday to set up camp and watch the arrivals and do the show on Saturday. One of the best long weekends of the year for me, can't bloody wait to be beer in hand watching planes fly direct over our heads!

Edited by LHB on Wednesday 18th June 12:56

[AlexIT]

Just one question:
Last time I went on Friday, it was a half-day event. How is it now? like Saturday?
Is it advisable to arrive early as well?

[LotusOmega375D]

Actual said:

williamp said:

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

Tips?

If you have standard tickets you will be jostling for space on the crowd line so get tickets or upgrade to one of the enclosure packages and you will have seating with a base to come back to and plenty of space.

Also plan to arrive at 5am and add 2 hours contingency.

Really? That’s a bit hard core. I went with our family on the Saturday in 2022. Beautiful hot weather. We took a coach trip from our small town. No stress, a bit of a queue for the last mile or so, but you could still watch the planes from the comfort of the coach. Arrived some time between 11 and 12. Carried picnic, booze, brolly and folding chairs. Easily found plenty of space to set up camp a few rows back from the rope. Stayed till the end of the display, by which time plenty of people had left and I got some nice front row photos of planes starting their take-offs. Walk back to the coach park and off home.

[Actual]

LotusOmega375D said:

a bit of a queue for the last mile or so, but you could still watch the planes from the comfort of the coach.

Traffic could have died down as you arrived after the flying display had started.

[theplayingmantis]

AlexIT said:

Just one question:
Last time I went on Friday, it was a half-day event. How is it now? like Saturday?
Is it advisable to arrive early as well?

yes its ends early i think. dont do fridays but still plenty of arrivals when no show, and static to browse

[theplayingmantis]

LotusOmega375D said:

Actual said:

williamp said:

Taking my elderly Dad for thd first tine. Any tios welcome

Tips?

If you have standard tickets you will be jostling for space on the crowd line so get tickets or upgrade to one of the enclosure packages and you will have seating with a base to come back to and plenty of space.

Also plan to arrive at 5am and add 2 hours contingency.

Really? That s a bit hard core. I went with our family on the Saturday in 2022. Beautiful hot weather. We took a coach trip from our small town. No stress, a bit of a queue for the last mile or so, but you could still watch the planes from the comfort of the coach. Arrived some time between 11 and 12. Carried picnic, booze, brolly and folding chairs. Easily found plenty of space to set up camp a few rows back from the rope. Stayed till the end of the display, by which time plenty of people had left and I got some nice front row photos of planes starting their take-offs. Walk back to the coach park and off home.

5ams is extreme!, target of 8/9am is fine in respect of traffic and bag search queues unless you want a seat at the crowdline.

[AlexIT]

theplayingmantis said:

yes its ends early i think. dont do fridays but still plenty of arrivals when no show, and static to browse

Thanks!

[theplayingmantis]

On that is Totterdown best P/V option for Friday...I asked last year and ended up there it wasn't bad but someone mentioned a vineyard but didn't seem as good to me.

Edit as nonsense.

Poulton vineyard was suggested as better Totterdown was ok not great. Anyone can confirm which is better?!

Edited by theplayingmantis on Wednesday 18th June 14:46

[Actual]

The best days at RIAT are earlier in the week for arrivals.

On arrivals days there are great photo opportunities of landings and the occasional practice display.